Turallure, confidently
handled by Julien Leparoux, came storming down the outside to nail
favoured Courageous Cat and Right One in a thrilling three-horse finish
to capture the $1 million Ricoh Woodbine Mile, a Breeders’ Cup Win and
You’re In event, Sunday at Woodbine.

At the wire in the Grade 1 turf classic, Turallure had prevailed by a
neck, with Courageous Cat outbobbing Right One by a nose for the place
award, in 1:34.92 over a ‘firm’ E.P. Taylor Turf Course. Side Glance
was a length further back in fourth.

Now, for Turallure, trained by Charles Lopresti for his owner and
breeder, Donna Arnold, who races under the 4-D Stables moniker, it’s
likely on to the TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile November 5 at Churchill Downs.

“Congratulations to Julien Leparoux,” said Lopresti. “That was a
heckuva ride. I didn’t think he was going to get through at the top of
the lane, but when he got out, he came running. Well, if he comes back
good (he’ll likely go the Breeders’ Cup).”

Turallure, a four-year-old son of 2003 Canadian Horse of the Year
Wando, had come into the Mile off an upset win in the mile and
one-eighth, Grade 2 Bernard Baruch, August 26 at Saratoga, a little over
three weeks ago.

“We didn’t train him very much,” continued Lopresti, on the quick
turnaround. “He had an easy five-eighths in 1:02. I just tried to keep
him happy.”

Turallure was placed towards the rear of the 12-horse field early on,
as Kara’s Orientation set a modest pace of :23.83 and :47.11, while
being stalked by the even money choice, Courageous Cat and jockey Pat
Valenzuela.

As the leaders swept off the far turn, Courageous Cat took over but
there were a host of pursuers as the field straightened for home, after
six furlongs was timed in 1:11.03.

Meanwhile, Leparoux had Turallure down on the inside, back in ninth,
but somehow was able to find a seam and ease him to the outside, where
he proceeded to mount a charge.In the last few jumps, as Courageous
Cat and Right One, who had sneaked through on the rail, were battling it
out, Turallure was able to motor by on the outside.

Added Leparoux, who also won the $300,000 Canadian Stakes aboard
Never Retreat, on the undercard, “For a couple of years I’ve been coming
here (to Woodbine). I’ve been lucky. It’s a great turf course. He
broke good, but a little bit on the outside, so I just took him back.
Saved a little bit of ground around the turn. There was a lot of
traffic and I couldn’t get out (for a while). He ran big today. It
was very close (at the wire). I didn’t really know (if I had it). I
felt the way it looked I got it, but you don’t want to be happy before
you make sure you win it.”

“It’s fantastic. I just don’t know what to say. I’m really speechless,” said owner Arnold.

About Courageous Cat, Valenzuela said, “"His trip was perfect. I was
hoping he would relax a little longer. He picked it up going into that
turn. I was trying to get him to relax without choking him too much
because he does have a little bit of a breathing problem, and I didn't
want to strangle him. He ran a very good race. He handled the surface
good, I can't complain.”

For Turallure, it was the biggest win of his 15-race career and his
sixth trip to the winner’s circle, as he picked up $600,000 for the
victory to push his career bankroll to almost $900,000.

As the 6-1 second choice, Turallure returned $14.90, $5.90 and $4.10,
combining with Courageous Cat ($3.10, $2.90) for a $42.30 (8-4)
exactor. An 8-4-5 (Right One, $4.90) triactor was worth $212.30, while a
$1 Superfecta [8-4-5-9 (Side Glance)] came back $572.15.

Prop's to Turallure for running a great race!! But I personally felt like Courageous Cat ran like the best horse in the race, and was unlucky not have won the Woodbine Mile. I thought Pat Valenzuela needed to be just a little more patient with Courageous Cat than he was, and he would've been home. I thought Valenzuela asked Courageous Cat for run just a little bit sooner than he should have, and it ultimately cost Courageous Cat a win in the Woodbine Mile. But still, I think Courageous Cat has looked really good in both the Shoemaker and Woodbine Mile's this season, and along with Caracortado, IMO, may represent the best chance among the American horses of running a big race against Goldikova in the BC Mile? Don't forget, it was Courageous Cat than ran a strong 2nd to Goldikova at Santa Anita in the 09' BC Mile!!